Feeler mechanism for looms



I. SNOW.

FEELER MECHANISM FOR LO0MS.-

APPLICATION FILED 050.10. 1919.

1,378,908. Patented May 24,1921.

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.Znven For Sax-mm -I. SNOW.

FEELER MECHANISM FOR LOOMS.

APPLlCATiON FILED DEC. 10, 1919. I Patented May 24, 1921.

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UNITED {STATES PATENT OFFICE.

Isaac snow, or LAwRE cn'MAssAoHUsE'rTs, ASSIGNOR TO DRAPER CORPORATION, or HOPEDALE, MASSACHUSETTS, A CORPORATION or MAINE.

FEELER MECHANISM FOR LOOMS.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patented May 24, 1921.

Application filed. December 10, 1919. Serial No. 343,721.

Lawrence, in the county of Essex and State.

of .Massachusetts, have invented an Improvement in Feeler Mechanisms for Looms, ofwhich the following description, in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a specification, like characters on the drawings representing like parts.

This invention relates to feeler mechanisms for looms and more particularly to feelermechanisms of the commonly called side swipe type.

In feeler mechanisms of the side swipe type the feeler is given its movement longitudinally of the shuttle either by the frontward pressure upon the feeler on a detecting beat, or means is provided for effecting such movement irrespective of the frontward push upon the feeler when the filling is substaritially exhausted. In either event it has been usual to mount the feeler on a carrier with respect to which it has been movable. This characteristic of the side swipe feeler has usually been embodied'in a pivoted tip member pivotally connected to the carrier member and as a consequence it has been necessary to multiply the number of parts constituting the feeler mechanism and in some cases detracting from the sensitiveness thereof. v

An important feature of'the present invention consists in a feeler which is pivotally i supported-by the loom frame for movement toward and from the front of the loom and in a direction transversely thereof by the frontward push of the filling until substantial exhaustion thereof, and when the feeler fails to be moved transversely of the loom on a detecting beat, atrain of mechanism is set in operation for effecting replenishment of filling.

A further object of the" invention is to simplify thejfeeler mechanism and render it e ective and sensitive in operation.

The various features of the feeler mechanism will be first hereinafter described in connection with a good, practical form thereof, and then the novel features and,

parts will be defined by the tecting side of the loom showing the present invention associated therewith;

F 1g. is a detached detail of the latch mechanism;

Fig. 3 is a side elevation and part sectional View showing one good form of means for supporting the feeler;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged plan view, some of the parts being broken away, showing the action of the feeler when a working supply of filling is present in the shuttle and Fig. 5 is a View similar to that of Fig. 1 showing the action of the feeler when filling is substantially exhausted.

The loom frame 1 has secured'thereto the brackets 2, one at each side of the loom, in which is supported the transverse shaft 3, which is normally under the action of a spring for holding it in normal position but with permissive movement for effecting replenishment of filling. The transverse shaft and its connected train of mechanism for effecting replenishment offilling, are common and well-known, and are, consequently, not herein shown. I

Rising from the transverse shaft 3 is the arm 4 to which is pivotally connected at 5 the, actuator 6 which, when the filling is substantially exhausted, is moved frontwardly to rock the transverse shaft 3 and effect replenishment of filling as usual. The

actuator 6 is adapted at times to be moved frontwardly by an operating member 7 which may be formed as part of or connected to the cam follower. In the present instance of the invention the actuator 6 has pivotally mounted thereon at 8 a latch 9 the rear end 10 of which, Fig. 2, is adapted to be engaged by the operating member 7 when filling is to be replenished. The end 10 of the latch 9is controlled in its position relative to the operating member 7 by the feeler mechanism or feeler, as will more fully appear, but in the present instance the latch 9 is over-weighted at its'rear end to carry the end 10 of the latch below the path of movement of the operating mem her 7 but permit it to be raised into the path of the operating member when filling is to be replenished. e

The lay 1; is provided with the usual shuttle box 12 the front wall of which is slotted at 13 to register with the corresponding slot 14 in the adjacent wall of the shuttle 15 when the latter is in the box at the detect- "ing side of the loom. The shuttle 15 has the usual filling carrier 16 therein and on which the filling is wound.

The feeler is supported by the loom frame. In the present instance the shipper stand 17 is provided with a supporting lug 18 to which is secured the supporting bracket 19 by means such as the bolt 20 and to the horizontal member 21 of the bracket the feeler is pivotally connected.

he feeler is constituted as a lever pivotally supported by the loom frame between its ends for swinging movement toward and from the front of the loom and for movement transversely thereof under the frontward push of the filling within the shuttle on a detecting beat until the filling is substantially exhausted, at which time the 'feeler fails to be moved transversely of the'loom by the frontward push upon it and this abnormal action of the feeler is utilized to set in operation the train of mechanism for effecting replenishment of filling.

The feeler, which may be generally designated by 0;, is provided with a slot 22, Fig. 4, between its ends and through the slot 22 passes the pivot bolt 23, the construction be 1 ing such that the feeler a may swing about the pivot 23 or move transversel of the loom frame relative to the pivot. he pivot stud 23, as indicated in Fig. 3, passes through the horizontal portion 21 of the bracket 19 and through the slot 22 of the feeler, and below the feeler the bolt 23 passes through a plate 24 which maybe provided with stops for limiting the swinging movement of the feeler: In-the present instance these stops are formed as upwardly projecting lugs 25 and 26, which, by engaging the feeler, define its swinging movement.

The slot 22 in the feeler enables the feeler I to have permissive movement transversely of the loom and in order to guide and limit the feeler in such movements, the present ,invention contemplates providing stops. In

the present instance the stop is formed as a plate 27 fitting the slot 22, and pivotally mounted upon the stud. The end portions 28 of the plate, by engagement with the ends of the slot 22, constituting a good form of means for limiting the movements of the feeler transversely of the loom.

The feeler has a rearwardly extending end 29 provided with teeth 30 for engagement with the filling. The end 29 is preferably formed integral with the feeler, but obviously it may be made rigid therewith in other ways. The feeler a is normally under the influence of a spring 30 one end of which is connected to the feeler at 31 and the other end of which is connected to the bracket 19 at 32. the construction being such that the spring 30* normally holds the feeler with one end of the slot 22 in engagement with one end of the plate 28 and with the rearwardly extending toothed end of the feeler inits normal feeling position, as defined by the stop 25.

When a working supply of fillin is present in the shuttle on a detecting eat, the rearwardly extending toothed end 30 of the feeler is engaged by the filling and sinks into it as the lay moves frontwardly. On further frontward movement of the lay on adetecting beat, the feeler will be moved frontwardly about its pivotal support 23, and, since the toothed end is engaged and held from movement along the filling carrier by'the filling, it will also partake of the movement in a direction transversely of the loom relative to its pivotal support. These movements of the feeler which are effected by the frontwa'rd push of the filling against the feeler on a detecting beat, are indicated by arrows in Fig. 4, one of which represents the frontward movement of the end 29 of the feeler and the other of which represents the transverse movement due to the frontward push of the filling against the feeler. v

makes its detecting beat, with the result that s the feeler will be moved frontwardly about its pivotal support 23, the toothed end portion of the feeler taking the path of movement as indicated by the arrow in Fig. 5, and the feeler will not move in a direction transversely of the loom when the filling is substantially exhausted on a detecting beat.

Extending laterally from the latch 9 is a lifter'which cooperates with the end of the feeler at the sideof its pivotal support remote from its filling engaging end. In the present instance, the lifter comprises an arm 33 which may be secured to the latch 9 by a bolt 34 and a horizontal arm 35 of the arm 33 has adjustably connected thereto by means of the bolt 36 the plate 37, the downturned end 38 of which is provided with a shoe 39. The adjustment of the plate 37 relative to the arm 35 may be variously effected, but in the present instance of the invention the plate 37 is provided with a slot 40 through which passes the bolt 36, the construction being such that by manipulation of the bolt 36 the shoe 39 carried by the plate 37 may be operatively related to the end of the feeler, as will more fully appear.

6 feeler for effecting replenishment of filling e 7. In a. feeler mec anism for looms, the

on a detecting beat, as indicated in Fig. 4,

the flange, 42 will fail to engage the shoe 39 and the end 10 of the latch 9 will remain out of the path of movement of theoperating member 7. When, however, on a detecting beat, the feeler fails to be moved transversely of the loom as it is swung frontwardly, the flange 42will engage beneath the shoe 39 as the feeler swings about its pivotal support and lift the end 10 of the latch into the path of movement of the operating member 7 and effect replenishmentof filling.

It will thus be seen that when a working supply of filling is present in the shuttle on a detecting beat, the feeler will be swung about its pivotal support and will. be moved also in a direction transversely of the loom and thus carry the flange 42 of the feeler toone side of the shoe 39 of the lifter so that thelifter will not be afi'ected by the feeler as. it moves frontwardly. When, however, one detecting beat, the filling is substantially exhausted, the feeler will not be given its movement transversely of the loom by the frontward push of the filling as the feeler is swung about its pivotal support, so that the flange 42 of the feeler will engage the lifter 39 and through the connected mechanism efi'ect replenishment of filling.v

Claims:

1. In a feeler mechanism for looms, the combination of a feeler having a rearwardly extending and rigidly connected filling engaging end, a fixed pivot for the feeler with respect to which it is swung and also moved in a direction longitudinally of the shuttle by the push of the filling on each detecting beat until substantial exhaustion thereof,

and means controlled by the feeler for effecting replenishment of filling when the feeler fails to be moved longitudinally of the shuttle on a detecting beat.

2. In a feeler mechanism for looms, the combination of a feeler having a rearwardly extending and rigidly connected filling engaging end, a fixed pivot for the feeler with respect to which it is swung and'also moved in a direction longitudinally of the shuttle by the push of the filling on each detecting beat until substantial exhaustion thereof, a

spring normally acting to obstruct longitudinal movement of the feeler by the push of the filling, and means controlled by the when, the feeler fails to be moved longitudinally of the shuttleon a detecting beat.

3. In a feeler mechanism for looms, the combination of a feeler that is supported by the loom frame for pivotal swinging movement about the pivot toward and from the front of the loom and for bodily movement transversely of the loom and having a relatively non-movable filling engagingend positioned to be engaged by the filling and moved frontwardly and bodily transversely of the loom on each detecting beat until substantial exhaustion of filling, and means for effecting replenishment of filling when the feeler fails to be moved transversely of the loom by the frontward push upon it on a detecting beat. v

4. In a feeler mechanism for looms, the combination of a feeler that extends in a general direction transversely of the loom and has a rearwardly extending toothed end, and thathas a slot, a pivotal support for the feeler engaging said slot and with respect to which pivotal support the feeler is moved frontwardly and transversely of the loom by the push of the filling upon it on each detecting beat untilsubstantial exhaustion thereof, and means. for effecting replenishment of filling when the feeler fails to be moved transversely of the loom by the frontward push upon it on a detecting beat.

5. In a feeler mechanism for looms, the combination of a feeler that extends in a general direction transversely of the loom and has a rearwardly extending toothed end, and that has a slot, a pivotal support for the feeler engaging said slot and with respect to which pivotal support the feeler is moved frontwardly and transversely of theloom by the push of the filling upon it on each detecting beat until substantial exhaustion thereof, a spring acting tonormally hold the feeler yieldingly with "the pivotal support in a predetermined position in said slot, and means for effecting replenishment of filling when the feeler fails to be moved transversely of the loom by the frontward push upon it on a detecting beat.

6. In a feeler mechanism for looms,'the combination of a feeler that extends in a general direction transversely of the loom and has a rearwardly extending toothed end, and that has a slot, a pivotal support for the feeler engaging said slot and with respect to which pivotal support the feeler is moved frontwardlyand transversely of the loom by the push of'the filling upon it on each detecting beat until substantial exhaustion thereof, a stop for limiting the swinging .and transverse movements of the feeler, and

combination of a feeler that extends in a relative to its pivotal support on a detecting 60 general direction transversely of the loom and has a rearwardly extending toothed end and a slot in its body portion, a pivotal support on the loom frame extending through the slot and with respect to which thefeeler is bodily moved transversely of the loom by the frontward pushof the filling against it on each detecting beat when a working supply of filling is present, and means for replenishing filling when the feeler fails to be moved transversely of the loom relative to the pivotal support by the frontward push on a detecting beat. w

8. In a feeler mechanism for looms, the combination of a feeler having a rearwardly extending toothed end and pivotally supported between its ends on the loom frame for movement frontwardly and in a direction transversely of the loom frame relative 1 to the support by the push of the filling on a detecting beat, and means for efi'ecting replenishment of filling when the feeler fails to be moved transversely of the loom relaaive to its pivotal support on a detecting eat.

9. In a feeler mechanism for looms, thecombination of a feeler that is formed as a lever pivotally supported between its ends on the loom frame and with respect to which pivotal support the feeler is moved frontwardly and transversely of the loom frame by the frontward push of the filling on a detecting beat until substantial exhaustion thereof, and means controlled by one end of the lever feeler for initiating replenishment of filling when the feeler fails to be moved transversely of the loom on a detecting beat.

10. In a feeler mechanism for looms, the combination of a lever formed with a rigidly connected rearwardly extending filling engaging end and pivotally supported between its ends for swinging and sliding movements by the frontward push of the filling on a detecting beat until substantial exhaustion thereof, a latch which is controlled by the other end of the lever, and means for effecting replenishment of filling when the lever fails to be moved transversely of the loom beat.

11. In a feeler mechanism for looms, a lever having a rearwardly extending rigid toothed end and a filling replenishing controlling end, a pivot for supporting the lever between its ends, connections between the pivot and lever permitting sliding movement of the lever relative to the pivot transversely of the loom by the frontward push of thefilling on a. detecting beat until substantial exhaustion thereof, and means rendered 0p erative to effect replenishing of'filling when the lever fails to be moved transversely of the loom on a detecting beat.

12. In a feeler mechanism for looms, a lever having a rearwardly extending rigid toothed, end and a filling replenishing controlling end, a pivot for supporting the lever between its ends, connections between the pivot and lever permitting sliding movement of the lever relative to the pivot transversely of the loom by the frontward push of the filling on a detecting beat until substantial exhaustion thereof, a spring normally acting to hold the rigid toothed end of the lever in feeling position and the lever at one limit of its sliding movement relative to the pivotal support, and means rendered operative to effect replenishment of filling when the lever fails to be moved transversely of the loom on a detecting beat.

13. In a feeler mechanism for looms, the combination of a feeler that is constituted as a single lever pivotally supported be- ISAAC SNOW. 

